There are countless things to love about owning a boat, but the best might be your ability to escape it all. Boats are portals to the watery world, where stress disappears, and smiles are contagious. And as social creatures, we naturally want to share this experience with loved ones.
That means you are likely to do some serious entertaining aboard. In fact, for many people, it's one of the main reasons they get a boat in the first place. Which begs the question: which are the best boats for entertaining?
10 Boat Types for Families
1. Bowriders
When it comes to our favorite boats for entertaining, bowriders get the nod for small-scale celebrations with groups of up to a half-dozen or so people.
Bowriders allow for fun days on the water with watersports, giant inflatables, water games, angling, or a boat picnic with sunbathing, people-watching, and card games.
This type of boat doesn't have many amenities or offer cooking facilities, so remember you'll have to come well-prepared! But since they're relatively inexpensive, easy to trailer, and easy to clean up at night's end, plenty of people enjoy entertaining aboard a bowrider.
2. Cabin Cruisers
Cabin cruisers are perfect for entertaining due to their spacious features, including full galleys, private bathrooms (called "head compartments" in nautical lingo), ample seating, and weather protection. And these features also make them ideal for extended stays aboard!
How many people you'll invite aboard can range widely depending on just how large a cabin cruiser you have, but in most cases, there will be plenty of room for a half-dozen or even more people.
3. Center Consoles
While it's true that many people choose a center console because they want to go saltwater fishing, many others like center consoles for their wide-open spaces and plentiful seating—which turns out to be ideal for entertaining. And perfect boats for family fun!
In fact, many center console builders offer models outfitted more for festivities than fishing, with accouterments like outdoor grills, ice makers, and wet bars.
In this case, the boat's size will be the limiting factor regarding how large a party you'll want to throw. Many center consoles have so many seats and sun pads that they accommodate more people than similarly-sized boats with cabins.
4. Deck Boats
Think of deck boats exactly as you'd think of bowriders. However, they gain a small edge since they're usually a bit roomier in the bow than a comparable bowrider and can commonly seat an extra passenger or two. People love the extra room like that of a pontoon boat – but with the added performance of a powerboat.
Additionally, safety and space are important when choosing boats for family fun. And that's why deck boats are great options! They can comfortably fit five or more people and have room for everything you need. (Families always have lots of stuff, so extra space is a big plus.)
5. Motor Yachts/Power Cruisers
If you like entertaining big crowds in luxurious surroundings, a motor yacht or big power cruiser is impossible to top. Multiple cabins, indoor and outdoor social areas, full cooking facilities, and all the conveniences of home—what more could a host hope for? And depending on the boat's size, your list of invitees could run for several pages.
Many boaters want to enjoy this luxurious experience at least once in their lifetime, so it's not uncommon for people to rent or charter a motor yacht just for a single event or a unique vacation. This allows you to bask in the luxury of the best boats for entertaining – without committing to an 80-foot super yacht.
Explore Motor Yachts/Power Cruisers
6. Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Personal watercraft hold just one to three people and don't have any extra space for things like blenders or cocktail tables – so why did we include them in this list? Because they're an incredibly popular entertainment device for people of all ages! PWCs are perfect for setting up obstacle courses, playing water games, towing inflatable tubes or wake surfers, island hopping, or simply going out to peek at wildlife.
You won't hold a party on a PWC alone, but wherever boaters raft up with friends for larger celebrations, someone almost always brings a PWC or two. And when handled responsibly, they can be great extra boats for family fun. If you want to ensure all your guests have fun in the sun, consider adding one or more to your fleet.
7. Pontoon Boats
You can't talk about the best boats for entertaining without pontoon boats being in the mix—they're the original "party barge." Modern pontoon boats can be found with everything from changing rooms to grills to blenders built right in!
Plus, they have tons of seating, and even the smaller models usually have enough room for eight or ten people. There are also large pontoon boats that are 30 feet long and can hold dozens of passengers.
8. Sailboats
When we think of our favorite boats for entertaining, the calmer option to pop into your head may be a sailboat party. Due to their relatively small cockpits, sailboats aren't commonly thought of as high-capacity party machines, but ask any sailboat owner if they entertain aboard, and you can bet the answer is yes.
So, if you enjoy the peace that being out on the water provides, and your idea of a fun gathering is to take a couple or another family for a sail, a sailboat is ideal for your needs. Game nights, telling stories over a bottle of wine, casting a line – basically any kind of entertaining that can be done in a more confined space is perfect!
9. Ski Boats/Wake Boats
Entertaining on a boat isn't just limited to parties and celebrations—it also includes treating your friends to the thrill of a lifetime. And if you have a ski or wake boat, you can make that happen. Wake boats offer many watersports options, making them ideal for families looking for boats for family fun – with an added adrenaline rush.
As is true for many of the smaller boats on this list, you won't have many integrated entertaining features (though the stereo systems on many watersports boats are potent enough to shake the entire lake). But that's no reason to worry! If you have a cooler, you can load it up with drinks and a car full of thrillseekers – making your ski boat or wakeboard boat the destination everyone wants to head for.
10. Trawlers
Trawlers tend to have more room on the inside than on the outside. So, while they may not be ideal for large groups interested in fun in the sun, they're great boats for entertaining year-round. Plus, larger models often have big flybridges where guests can kick back and enjoy endless views.
Once you've picked out the best boat for entertaining in the manner you enjoy, be sure to check out Boat Songs: The Ultimate Boating Playlist for an upbeat selection of tunes that can help get the party started.
